Australia has a National Medicines Policy with aims that include quality use of medicines, but policy stakeholders failed to protect Australia from the COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) inhibitor disaster. Drug regulators did not warn prescribers appropriately about potential cardiovascular risks. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme did not limit unjustified drug expenditures on COX-2 inhibitors. Drug companies ran intense and misleading promotional campaigns on COX-2 inhibitors without adequate controls. Independent drug information was insufficient to counter the effects of the millions of dollars spent on advertising. Core elements of the National Medicines Policy-in particular the drug approval process, the post-marketing sur-veillance system, the control of drug promotion, and the quality of independent drug information-require major reappraisal if we want to avoid similar disasters in the future.

...the condition of freedom in any state is always a widespread and consistent scepticism of the canons upon which power exists.
- Harold J. Laski The Dangers of Obedience. Harpers Monthly Magazine 1-10 June 1929

Our main aim is improving health by reducing harm from misleading health information.
We are an international non-profit membership association incorporated in South Australia: A8764, ABN 43 390 138 359.
Everyone who supports our aims is welcome to join us.